Italian media mock Danny Welbeck ahead of Milan clash

The Italian media have been poking fun at Danny Welbeck ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League trip to Milan on Thursday.

Wednesday’s La Gazzetta dello Sport did a comparison of the Arsenal striker and Milan’s Patrick Cutrone, and they didn’t hold back on the Englishman.

They collected quotes from around the media and the internet, such as: “new drinking game: drink every time Danny Welbeck falls” and “if a player has ever summed up Arsenal itself, it’s Welbeck. He is capable of doing something really good, then falling over on his own and ending up face to the ground.”

La Gazetta dello Sport 7 March 2018

Then in their own analysis they wrote that Welbeck has “lots of talent, little sense of the goal”. They continued to say the striker’s “expected improvements have not arrived”, and pointed out he’s never reached double figures for league goals.

If Welbeck needed any motivation on Thursday, there it is.

Without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (cup-tied) and Alexandre Lacazette (injured), the 27-year-old is almost certain to start up front for Arsenal. If they’re to have any chance of winning they’ll need the striker playing at his very best.

So far, Welbeck hasn’t been able to show his best in the Europa League. He started all of Arsenal’s last four matches, but is yet to score a goal. Thursday night certainly wouldn’t be a bad time to get his first in the competition.

To do so, he’ll have to overcome one of the tournament’s best defences. Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has kept 18 clean sheets in 38 matches this season.

As talented as the 19-year-old is, that’s largely thanks to the solid back line in front of him, especially since Gennaro Gattuso took over as manager. Hopefully Arsenal can break it down.

Arsenal fan since a young age, now a season ticket holder who enjoys writing, tweeting and making videos about the Gunners. Also likes: guitar, gaming and lists of three.
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